Bypass work continues with fencing and tree removal

During the next three weeks CalTrans anticipates building fences and removing trees and other vegetation all along the bypass route, according to CalTrans spokesman Phil Frisbie. Residents will see some gravel and culverts to facilitate ingress and egress areas for different segments near roadways.

Workers also will be installing silt fencing as needed along future planned work areas to reduce the amount of sediment entering local creeks from CalTrans' activities.

Flatiron Construction, one of two main contractors on the project, is expected to begin bringing in steel and timber needed for some of the work anticipated later in the summer.

CalTrans is still working through the details of the anticipated haul road design, said Frisbie.

The gravel roadway installed in the south end of the bypass footprint was not the anticipated haul road, but was needed to allow California Highway Patrol equipment to access the tree-sitter locations.

The bypass route has between eight and 12 biologists along the route, conducting surveys and monitoring activity, says Frisbie. CalTrans has been harvesting wild seeds along the route for the past two years to be used in reseeding disturbed locations. Semaphore grasses are only identifiable in the spring and early summer. These are being identified now to allow them to be transplanted in the winter when dormant.

Two new tree-sitters have taken up residence along the route. "Spotted Owl," who has not been identified, has established a roost 40 feet off the ground in a grove of oaks on the southern end of the route. Crow has established a nest not far from the Shell Lane area. Crow's location allows him to observe spawning fish in the nearby creek, according to Earth First! spokeswoman Naomi Wagner.

"Spotted Owl" said she is 27 years old and grew up in Southern California. She attended college in Boston.

"Owl" says she knew someone working with the Willits protest group and wanted to come and help. "It is a privilege to be able to do this," she said.

Neither CalTrans nor CHP has paid much attention to her tree so far.

CalTrans' Frisbie says they are not working in this area during this summer.

Earth First! Wagner said Owl is in the same area as one of the other tree-sitters removed April 2, and his tree was cut down. She wondered why he and his tree were removed if CalTrans was not planning to work at that location.